Wreath-laying on Dickens' Grave

Professor Joel Brattin of Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Massachusetts, laid the Dickens Fellowship wreath on the grave of Charles Dickens in Westminster Abbey on Tuesday 8 June. As part of a short service, following Evensong in the Abbey, Professor Brattin spoke of the links between Dickens and Worcester, which Dickens visited during his American travels in February 1842, and the continuing links that exist: two students from the Worceseter Polytechnic Institute are currently engaged in work for the Charles Dickens Museum, and many others are working in organisations in London and York. Several of the WPI students attended the ceremony, which was also attended by around 40 members of the UK Dickens Fellowship. We would like to express thanks to Professor Brattin for taking the key role in this important ceremony in the Dickensian year, and, as always, to Peter Duggan, for arranging the event.

Joel Brattin of the Worcester Dickens Fellowship stands with the children from Gad's Hill School, Katie Warwood and Christopher Cogger.

Joel Brattin of the Worcester Dickens Fellowship stands with the children from Gad's Hill School, Katie Warwood and Christopher Cogger.

The Dickens Fellowship 'chaplet' is an oval of laurel, with scarlet carnations, scarlet geraniums, rosemary and ivy. The wreath this year was funded by Carol McLeod of Toronto.

The Dickens Fellowship 'chaplet' is an oval of laurel, with scarlet carnations, scarlet geraniums, rosemary and ivy. The wreath this year was funded by Carol McLeod of Toronto.